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I'm looking for a hotel in Washington D.C. close to Union Station that isn't too horribly expensive. I'm taking the Capitol Limited to Washington January 3, arriving January 4, then the next day taking a train to Richmond, Va.
Perhaps the congresscritters and their lobbyist buddies won't be back from the holidays by the night of January 4, resulting in lower hotel rates at that time.
Any suggestions?
notelvis Member # 3071
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This may not be anywhere near what you have in mind but for a unique experience I always suggest having a look at the Henry Clay Inn in Ashland, VA. Ashland is an attractive, small college town.
The current Henry Clay is a replica of the original Colonial Style railroad hotel which stood near the site of the current Inn. They have breakfast (of the bagel and cereal variety) available to guests every morning and there is a dining room serving dinner on weekends. There are also a couple of restaurants within a block of the Inn. The front door is about 50 feet from the platform. Rates are in the neighborhood of $110 (give or take) per night.
Ashland is only 10-15 miles north of Richmond, however, so going to the Henry Clay would mean a southbound regional out of DC the evening of the 4th........a re-arrangement of the itinerary you are currently planning.
smitty195 Member # 5102
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I was just in DC, and had a very enjoyable stay at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill. If you are not disabled, it is a very easy walk to/from Union Station. Here is their website:
As far as the proximity to Union Station, I don't think you can get much better than either of these two hotels. Go to both of their websites to see what the rates are so you can see if it fits your budget. As far as walking distance to Union Station, it's identical from either hotel.
Henry Kisor Member # 4776
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Thanks, Notelvis, but the Henry Clay is a bit far afield for this trip.
Someone suggested the Phoenix Park Capitol Hill, just one block SW of Washington Union Station. I checked it out and its normal $338/day rate has been cut to less than $150 for early January stays. Washington is a great place without the hot air...
Henry Kisor Member # 4776
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Smitty, thanks. The Hyatt is less than $120 and the Holiday Inn above $170. I'm leaning to the Hyatt now, though the Phoenix Park is closer to the station.
pelican Member # 754
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You may also want to consider the Hilton, Hampton Inn, and Embassy Suites which are within a very short walk of the Alexandria Amtrak Station. The Alexandria station is on the route to Richmond. It is also adjacent to the Metro King Street Station, which in fact lies between the Amtrak station and the Hilton and Embassy Suites. The Hampton is about a block down King Street.
Many visitors tour in DC and go to Alexandria for the night. Metro Blue and Yellow lines at King Street. From Union Station area, Red line change to Yellow at Gallery Place.
Don't know their rates for that time though. Often they are cheaper than downtown DC.
Phoenix Park is a quite small older rebuilt hotel but relatively nice and very convenient to U.S. It is probably a bit farther from trainside U.S. than the Hilton is from trainside Amtrak Alexandria.
The Hyatt is a large more modern place, it is about 2 blocks further than the Phoenix from U.S. You will pass Phoenix on your way to Hyatt (or HI.
aircrest7 Member # 5548
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I have booked the Days Inn. No it is not near Union Station, but it is only 1 block from the Van Ness Stop on the Red Line. It is hard for me to tell how far north it actually is, but it is only 89 per night.
Downtown Hotels are just not in my budget.
smitty195 Member # 5102
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Wow, if you got a rate of less than $120 go for it! You won't be disappointed. It's a business hotel---not a fancy resort. But that's to be expected in the Capitol Hill area. Maybe you'll see a few Senators roaming the halls at night.
sojourner Member # 3134
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In January, you can often get a pretty good rate at one of the better hotels. If for some reason you cannot, my husband and I stayed at the Red Roof Inn in Chinatown. We walked from Union Station--it was about 8 blocks--some people might not want to do that with luggage but we managed fine. It was around $125 a night when we were there last autumn--a very good rate for autumn in DC--but as I said, I think in January you could get a pretty good rate at other places that were well above our budget for our time of travel. The Red Roof Inn was what I'd call adequate--a bit dusty, like a lt of NYC hotels, but not what I'd call dirty. Location was excellent, and DC's small Chinatown has some fine restaurants. There are a fair amount of street people in the area, more than there were in the 90s, but it's a very busy area and we had no trouble going out at night. I would not roam around after midnight, though.
Whether you stay there or in a more upscale place, I do recommend three restaurants in DC's small Chinatown: Eat First, where we recommend the Singapore noodles and the (spicy) pork & eggplant claypot dish (if you like spicy); Chinatown Express, where you should have the fresh noodles and pork you see in the window; and Burma, at least, I think that is name of Burmese restaurant upstairs next to Chinatown Express, where I recommend the chicken & mangoes (which they will make for you even if not on the menu). For more upscale also nearby (trendy Penn Quarter), we strongly recommend the tapas placesJaleo and Zaytinha, owned by same owner, nearby--watch what you order so you don't run up a big bill--but some dishes are truly delicious and places very popular.
Also nearby we recommend the newly reoopened National Portrait Gallery and take a swing through (even if you don't see exhibits) the gorgeous National Buildings Museum.
timefortrains Member # 5603
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Washington Court Hotel is a few blocks from Union Station. Stayed there for a conference a few years ago and it was OK. Hotel George, a boutique hotel where I had a pricey but excellent dinner, is even closer to the station. Made the trek back and forth from hotel to station several times in up to two feet of snow. Infamous blizzard shut DC down for days and caved in the roof of the B&O museum roundhouse in Baltimore the night before friends and I were scheduled to visit.
rresor Member # 128
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The Phoenix Park Hotel is no more than two blocks from Union Station, has the Dubliner pub on the first floor, and often has reasonable rates in the winter.
Dave Burden Member # 88
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Check out the Hotel Harrington at http://www.hotel-harrington.com/. Room rates for 2008 start at $95. We stayed there in 2000 and found the location convenient for sight seeing and it's not that far from Union Station.
It's located between the FBI building and the White House which is within walking distance even in the winter if you have fairly light luggage. Worst case is take the subway 3 stops to Metro Center and walk a block or two. It has 3 restaurants on the street level, but our favorite is Ollie's Trolley.
Dave
sojourner Member # 3134
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I just got a (junk, I suppose) email from Renaissance Hotels in DC, where I stayed some time ago. They are advertising weekends now through February 11, from $149, and only $169 at the (posh) Mayflower, which is one of their hotels. While this may be higher than you want to spend, the deal suggests that there are hotel deals to be had in DC in winter--esp on weekends. So whatever you have booked, you might look for more bargains. . . .
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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While I'm not familiar with the Day's Inn property Mr. Aircrest notes, there is a Day's Inn that might seem "enticing" to railfans - and that is their property located along New York Ave in NE.
Even though there are "rooms with a view" and the view being the Corridor about where NB traffic will start to 'scorch the ballast', the property is simply in the 'wrong part of town" for any tourist to feel comfortable.
I did stay there once shortly after it opened during 1966 as a Holiday Inn (I was in service then and stationed at Dover AFB). Apparently, it has been working its way "down the food chain' ever since.
Don't even THINK of this hotel; I'm certain "natives', such as Train Lady, will concur.
The same applies to another high rise hotel property with "views" (FAIK it is a homeless shelter today) near K Tower and the NY Ave overpass.
train lady Member # 3920
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Not only don't even think about this hotel you DO NOT want to stay anywhere in the N. E section if you can help it. While I feel sure that there are many nice people living there the crime rate is high and those folks would most likely move if they could. BTW I am a "native" of Chicago but grew up here by way of LA. I don't think New York Ave. is a desirable area at all. I can't really give you the name of a good place because all our family and friends stay with us. My best friend says she is going to come over one dark night and put a lighted motel sign on the roof!!!
aircrest7 Member # 5548
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Help......The Days Inn I booked is 4400 Connecticut Ave. Is this the one you are saying stay away from. If so I will cancel it in a heart beat. It is a block from the Van Ness Metro Stop.
Thanks for the good advice
aircrest7 Member # 5548
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I am not doing so good on my hotel search as it is during the week. Is the Red Roof Inn within walking distance of the china town metro with rolling luggage. It is a little below 150 per night
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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No Mr. Aircrest, your Day's in @ 4400 CT Ave is in the NW area of town near Rock Creek Park, and miles away from the Day's Inn property I noted.
If "room with a view" in a safe environment is a "plus", then consider the L'Enfant Plaza Hotel. It is "kitty corner" from Amtrak's first HQ (later USRA). But in common with any District hostelry you would find me at, be prepared to "dig deep".
There is/was a hotel "with a view" located in Alexandria at the Amtrak/VRE/CSX bridge X ing the Potomac. It was the Marriott Twin Bridges, but somehow I would think that hotel, if even still there, has moved "down the food chain". Possibly Ms. Train Lady knows the property as it is visible from the I-395 14th Street Bridge.
sojourner Member # 3134
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Aircrest, the Red Roof Inn in China Town was for me & my husband within walking distance of Union Station itself with rolling luggage, only about 8-10 blocks, or a 10-15 minute walk. OTOH it may not be for you--depends on your age, fitness, weather conditions, and just how heavy your rolling luggage is (though my advice of course is, travel as light as possible, not just for here but for a nice trip thruout).
Even closer would be the China Town/Galeria Metro Station, I suppose, but frankly, if you are fit enough to use the Metro with luggage, my guess is you can simply walk the whole way (assuming weather isn't awful) I mean, by the time you get to the Metro, wait for the train, get out of the Metro, you almost may as well have walked.
If you are going to do the Metro "thaing," why not try that Hotel Harrington listed above? It's a good location, and the prices seem a lot less than $150. Though I don't know the hotel myself, maybe Mr Burden can give you some more input on it, but really, the location is terrific. You can have breakfast (if it's a weekday) at Bread Line, which is quite nice!
train lady Member # 3920
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The hotel Harington is an old hotel. It used to be the place al the school groups used when visiting DC. It was clean and not luxury type. What it is now I can not say. The Ct ave area is nice and I wouldn't worry about staying there. You might check with AAA about accomodations. They would be up to date.The problem with N E is there are many drive by shootings and even little kids are being shot.
aircrest7 Member # 5548
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Thanks for all your help. After review I have decided to cancel my hotel reservations at the Days Inn and have rebooked with the Hotel Harrington. I know it is not 4 star, but I am not a 4 star kinda guy. I am sure it will serve my purpose just fine. Location Location Location means a lot and if the President decides he wants to have dinner with me he won't have to walk so far.
Dave Burden Member # 88
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A little history on how we found the Hotel Harrington. When we were planning our trip I browsed through an early 1920's Automobile Blue Book we have. This is a series of route books used up through the 30's with detailed driving instructions. Sort of an early version of Mapquest... Anyway, I looked for hotels in DC from the 20's that were still around today. Some had the same name, but were in different locations. The Hotel Harrington, however, was the same hotel minus the top floors, and in the same location. We brought the book along with us and showed it to the desk clerk. I tried to get the advertised rate of $2/night, but they wouldn't go for it :-) They did photocopy the ad from the route book though.
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